Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Natural face Cleanser!!! YAY!! THA SCRUBS!!

Sometime we need to get down and dirty with our faces. A specialty face cleanser made by YOU might be just the trick to stop blotched skin in its tracks. Exfoliation is key and below we will go over some Cool recipes that have ingredients that come right from the kitchen and Oh soo natural:)






Note: The scrubs listed work for all skin types, unless stated otherwise.





General Scrub Procedure



Tie hair back.

Wash face.

To open pores, steam face over hot water or press warm cloth to skin for a few minutes.

After preparing scrub, apply it to face (and neck if desired). Avoid eye area.

Optional: Use a facial loofah, sponge, or brush to maximize exfoliation.

Rinse off with warm water.

Enjoy results!

Basic Baking Soda Scrub

Perfect for everyday use.



2 to 3 Tbsp. Baking soda

Small amount of water



Mix the ingredients into a paste.

Using a circular motion, apply to face and gently scrub.



Basic Cornmeal Scrub

Slightly more potent than the baking soda scrub, this works best on a 2 to 3 day interval.



2 to 3 Tbsp. Cornmeal

Small amount of water



Mix and apply in the same manner as baking soda scrub.



Rose Almond Face Scrub

To brighten and soften skin.



1 tsp rosewater

1/2 tsp almond flour or finely ground almonds.



Mix into paste and apply.



Oatmeal Scrub

A stimulating, thoroughly cleansing 3-in-1 scrub!

Smooths, tones, and hydrates.



1 Tbsp. ground oatmeal (use steel cut oats, not instant)

1 tsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. yogurt



Combine and apply.

Optional: let your scrub double as a mask! Let it sit a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.



Azuki Bean Scrub

Banish your blackheads. Especially effective for combination and oily skin types.



½ cup dried azuki beans



Grind beans. (Having a small coffee grinder set aside specifically for beauty recipes is a wise idea).

Add a little water to the mixture and apply.



Milk and Honey Scrub

Maximize or minimize its moisturizing effect at will.



Choose your dairy:

1 tsp Skim Milk (Oily skin)

1 tsp 2% Milk (Normal or combination)

1 tsp Cream (Dry)



1 tsp honey

1 tbsp ground almonds



Banana Scrub

A very finely textured, delicious-smelling scrub. Can double as a mask.



2 tsp mashed banana

2 tsp rolled oats

1 tsp milk

1 tsp honey



Honey Sugar Scrub

If you have ever used a body sugar scrub, you know how amazing they are. Work the same magic on your face!



1 tsp. of honey

1/2 tsp. of sugar (either cane or brown — both work well)



Blend in bowl. Apply.

Rinse very thoroughly, as this recipe can be slightly sticky.






Body Scrub and Face

Pumpkin, Sugar, and Spice Scrub

1/2 cup cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon



Blend in a bowl. Apply mixture to face (and body, if you really want to indulge yourself).



The Green Beauty Guide offers this organic recipe:



“Eat Your Greens” Facial Scrub

2 tsp organic wheat bran

2 tbsp organic oatmeal

2 tbsp olive oil soap, finely shredded

1 tsp dried parsley

1 part dried lettuce



Shave your favorite plant oil-based soap.

Grind parsley and lettuce with pestle in mortar. (We have tried this – you can also blend it in a processor).

Add soap shavings and mix thoroughly.

Whisk in the oatmeal and wheat brand and continue stirring until thoroughly mixed

REAL PEOPLE REAL ANSWERS EDITION 8



A DAY IN THE LIFE

“Living Naturally You”

Real People Real Answers




What’s your name?
 Aminah "Salakida" Kali Barry



 How old are you?
 Me? Age is so passe :-)


 Where are you from?
 Oakland, CA

 What is your occupation?
Singer, Songwriter, Goddess


How would you describe yourself?
 Hippie Glam Girl

 When did you first decide to become natural?
 2000

If there was one word to describe your style what would it be?
Ethereal

 Who are some people that inspire you the most?
 Prince. Chaka. Jimi. Grace Slick. Joni. Beyonce. Coko. Meelah from 702. Gangstarr. PE. Elaine Brown.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
 An inspiration to little girls all over the world with big noses/lips, and nappy hair...oh, and RICH   :-)! Filthy.


10. What advice would you give to others who wanted to go natural or live a more natural based lifestyle?
I just want ALL my Sistas to know, wearing your hair natural is not a commitment to being a judgemental social outcast with limited financial/romantic prospects anymore than wearing your hair straight makes you a vapid video whore begging for validation from white people. You are you! I AM passionate about women at very least exploring their natural hair because a lot of us had the choice (relaxed hair as the standard of beauty) made for us before we even knew there was a choice to be made or a standard to meet. It's kind of like having a big booty;we have something uniquely beautiful in our various curl patterns, and ,since you got it, why not flaunt it?

11. What’s your favorite quote?
 Today? "The supense is terrible...I hope it lasts..."


- Gene Wilder as Willie Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory






Saturday, June 25, 2011

SPECIAL FEATURE!!!! ANIBA HOTEP & THE SOL COLLECTIVE!!!! I LOVE THIS GROUP!!!

SOULFULLY RISING
“Living Naturally You”
Artist Appreciation
New Natural Stars on the Rise



         What is the name of your band and whom is it’s members ? 

 1. ANIBA HOTEP & THE SOL COLLECTIVE
A. ANIBA HOTEP (OBVIOUSLY LOL, LEAD VOCALS)
B. NERI MA’AT (BACKGROUND VOCALS)
C. CARESS SAHURA (BACKGROUND VOCALS)
D. WILLAM BAGGET (BASS)
E. LOUIS WELLS (KEYS)
F. HARRY HUNT (KEYS)
G. ANTHONY REID (DRUMS)
H. AUM MU RA EL (GUITAR)
I. WALLACE WILBORN (SAX)


          When was this band founded and in what city?

 THE BAND WAS FOUNDED IN THE BEGINNING OF 2008 IN CHICAGO, IL.

     Why as a band have you decided to promote the natural lifestyle?


WELL, I HAVE HAD NATURAL HAIR FOR ELEVEN YEARS, AND I BELIEVE NERI HAS AS WELL. CARESS SAHURA IS A TRAINED NATURAL HAIR STYLIST AND HAS BEEN NATURAL FOR FIVE YEARS. WHEN WE FORMED THE BAND, THE INCLUSION OF OUR HAIR WAS KIND OF A NO BRAINER. THERE WAS NEVER A CONVERSATION WHERE WE DISCUSSED WEARING STRAIGHTER LOOKING STYLES FOR THE “GLAM” LOOK, WE KNEW THAT NATURAL HAIR WOULD DO THAT AND REPRESENT WHO WE WERE AS BLACK WOMEN AND ARTISTS.

       How would you describe your bands style?

WE ARE A SOUL BAND, A GUESS SOME WOULD DESCRIBE IT AS A THROWBACK TO THE LATE 60’S OR 70’S BUT I THINK OUR SOUND IS JUST SOUL MUSIC THROUGH IT’S NATURAL PROGRESSION THROUGH THE GENERATIONS AND THE OTHER GENRES THAT HAVE TOUCHED US
  
       What are some people that inspire you most?

WATCHING CLASSIC FOOTAGE OF AL GREEN, JAMES BROWN, ARETHA FRANKLIN… THOSE IMAGES MOVE ME, IT’S A RAWNESS ABOUT THEIR BODY LANGUAGE AND DELIVERY THAT SETS A VERY DEFINITIVE STANDARD.
   
 What the general mission of your group’s music?

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE HONEST, CLASSIC MUSIC AND TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL AND THINK AGAIN . TO RESTORE THE IMAGES OF NUBIAN PEOPLE WITH FULL BANDS , TO REKINDLE THE LIGHT THAT CAN ONLY BE TURNED ON BY LIVE INSTRUMENTS AND UNAPOLOGETIC SOUL VOCALS .

     What are some of the accomplishments of your band and describe in detail some of your most recent performances? 

ANIBA HOTEP AND THE SOL COLLECTIVE HAS PERFORMED AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES, THE MAYNE STAGE THEATER, THE AFRICAN FESTIVAL, HAS SHARED THE STAGE WITH CHAKA KHAN, MINT CONDITION, CARL THOMAS, AND THE LEGENDARY DRIFTERS. OUR DEBUT EP “THE SOL-UTION” , DEBUTED ON CD BABY SEPTEMBER OF 2010 AND MADE THE TOP ALBUMS LIST FOR SOUL AND NEO SOUL, AND HAD FIVE SINGLES FROM THIS EP MAKE THE TOP TEN IN BOTH OF THOSE CATEGORIES. WE HAVE THE HONOR OF SHARING THE STAGE WITH THE LEGENDARY R&B GROUP SILK JULY 16TH AT THE LITTLE BLACK PEARL IN CHICAGO, IL. 

        Where can we find the bands music? 

YOU CAN FIND ANIBA HOTEP & THE SOL COLLECTIVE ‘S MUSIC ON CD BABY, AMAZON, AND I-TUNES.
                         
    What advice would you give to others who wanted to go natural or live a more natural based lifestyle?

TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO EMBRACE NATURAL HAIR AND/OR A NATURAL WAY OF LIVING, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THEY TAKE THEIR TIME, DO RESEARCH AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AREAS THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. YOU MAY RECEIVE TONS OF SUGGESTIONS ABOUT WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR HAIR , BUT YOU MAY FIND THAT YOUR TEXTURE IS NOTHING LIKE THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU, OR THAT CERTAIN OILS MAY IRRITATE YOUR SCALP. IT’S THE SAME FOR YOUR  DIET, YOUR CLOTHING, YOUR PERSONAL CONSTITUTION. IT HAS TO WORK WITH YOU IN ORDER TO WORK ; )
             

     What’s your favorite quote?

I HAVE TWO FAVORITE QUOTES, ONE IS “ONLY FOOLS DUCK WHEN THE TRUTH IS THROWN AT THEM”, AND “COME OUT AND SEE ANIBA HOTEP AND THE SOL COLLECTIVE AT THE LITTLE BLACK PEARL ON JULY 16TH “ LOL!

PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT. I REALLY LOVE THIS GROUP CLICK ON LINKS FOR THEIR MUSIC!!!

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/anibahotep
http://www.amazon.com/The-Solution-EP/dp/B00435D1RW

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

I love her simple yet elegant styles :) GO CHESCA GIRL:)


REAL PEOPLE REAL ANSWERS : MENS EDITON 1


A DAY IN THE LIFE
“Living Naturally You”
Real People Real Answers




 What’s your name? 
Thierry Kojo Baptiste - Kojo is a AFRICAN male name that is Ghanaian, which means Born on Monday and Nigerian meaning of UNCONQUERABLE    

Both Definitions Apply.......

  How old are you? 

Ageless

  Where are you from?
Indianapolis, Indiana but I travel from coast to coast as an educator of Custom Colour and Trend Cutz Styling for Locs

  What is your occupation?
I am a licensed cosmetologist who specializes in the cultivation of Locs. Traditionally called an Loctician, but known to be called a LocStylist due to expansion of services I offer to the natural hair community. 

  How would you describe yourself?
Definitely a New Era of Locs pioneer who travels to the beat of my own drum that evolves in unison with the world effortlessly.  

  When did you first decide to grow locs?

When I got tired of combing my hair after having every other Afrocentric style in the world. It was a natural evolution.

This is my second or maybe third set, I'm not sure because I really don't keep up with the details past hairstyles. None thus far tops this one, and the next one will reign over the one I have today.


If there was one word to describe your style what would it be?
AfroChic. I am definitely Afrocentric. I love everything about being black and although I have a dark skin tone, I would love to be darker. I don't understand why my people are bleaching their skin. BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

Within that mindset, I have a sense of personal style that is a combinations of a Parisian flare, Revolutionist,  and Harlem Renaissance influences.

  Who are some people that inspire you the most? 
Those who think outside of the box when it comes to manifesting their artistic gifts and those who openly apologetically proclaim themselves (even if I don't agree with what they say).

Living Without Fear of self expression is very liberating.  That freedom creates a  confidence that stimulates my soul and motivates me to discover more about myself and the universe. 

  What do you want to be when you grow up?
Stress Free & Unconditionally Loved

  What advice would you give to others who wanted embrace their individuality ?
Turn the television off that subconsciously programs our people you to SELF HATE and go inside your soul to discover your definition of self.
Embrace that concept as long as you like.

When life experiences generates a new outlook, do not hesitate to change who you currently are because others like the person you were yesterday.

  What’s your favorite quote?
STAY FOCUSED (on you) and all of your dreams will come true.

How to make your very own NATURAL nail polish :)

Just some more fun easy natural recipes for all to enjoy;)


Ingredients
*1tablespoon of olive oil
*powdered white clay ( can be purchase on online stores)
* 1/2 tablespoon Henna dye ( can be found on online Indian stores and specialty art stores..Think fake henna tattoos)
*Cotton Swab



  • Take 1 tbsp of cold pressed olive oil and mix it with ½ tbsp of powdered kaolin clay or white clay, to form a smooth paste. Olive oil will keep your nails and cuticles moisturized while the clay will lend sheen to your nails.
  • Use henna dye to add color to your nail polish. Henna is available in a variety of colors and can be used to add natural tint to your nail polish. Mix the henna with olive oil, to form a smooth paste.
  • Use an old nail polish brush or cotton swab to apply the nail polish evenly on your nails. Leave it on for about 15 minutes. If you are using henna to tint your nails, keep in mind to wipe away any extra leftover on skin. Allow your nails to air-dry.
  • While using henna to color your nails, remember to moisturize it from time to time. You can use a cotton swab dipped in warm water to dab the surface. Keep the polish on for at least an hour or more, depending on the richness of tint.
  • After the paste has dried off, use a damp cloth to wipe it off from your nails. Rub your nails gently while doing this, to buff up the nails. Repeat the application as often as you want, to have naturally painted glossy nails.:)

Monday, June 20, 2011

LOCKING SERIES PART 2: Upcaled Tightened Coiles:)

Locking is one of my upmost favorite topics to talk about. In this article I will expand upon two advanced level techniques of starting and tightening locks. The two advanced techniques we will go over in this article is interlocing and starting locs from a basic add on way/interlocing combination.



Interlocing : Basic clock method(4 pattern) for tightly coiled hair 


12    9    6    3

When you begin the interlocing process its a very intricate and timely process but may be well worth the wait for many. To begin this process ( note this process CAN be started on permed or straight hair as well:) First part your hair in your desired method. You will make the parts in the size of the resulting loc that you want. Use some hair clamps to keep the hair in place and prevent it from mixing into the rest of your parts,Gather the bunch of hair that you parted and back comb it while holding the very bottom of the hair to make it a little tangled. Envision the hands of a clock place your finger in the "12 o clock" position  and almost like a knife cut through the hair and stop before the matted piece. Proceed to take your finger in the "9 o clock" position a inside this hole you made and bring the finger through to you get to the matted hair. Do this process for "6 o clock" and "3 o clock". Repeat this rotation until you have almost reached the scalp of the clients head. Once you get to a point where your fingers no longer fit you will use either a latch hook ( you can get this at a craft store or local beauty supply store), a loc loop tool  (can buy on line), a sisterloc tool ( tool you get from certified sisterlocing specialist) or wait until my future article on making your on :). Take your hook of choice and place it in this last amount of hair in a way that you would close off the gap you left with your fingers . Place the tip of the hair in the grasping portion of the tool and pull the hair through in the clock like motion until the hair is comfortably tight to the clients head. Depending on how many locs the clients wants, the length of the hair started , and the size of the client's head itself.... this process can take anywhere from 12 and I heard stories ranging into the 37 hour time frame.

Note: This Method is usually used for small locs to sisterlocksTM . 
The main differnece between small locs and sisterlocks is the certification for sisterlocs
and the actual number of locs with sisterlocks starting off at a minimum of 350 locs..WHEW



Note: In this video the woman starts from 9 oclock


Locing from Human Add on ( Basic method)



I highly recommend using a human hair afro bulk for this method as it looks the most natural ( EON hair online is a supplier I have used in the past and worked just fine).  Part hair in desired. Add in afro kinky hair as described in Basic Braiding Methods Part II . Do this to the entire head. It is my recommendation that you do these (kinky braids) on the smaller end so that they appear to be small locs. You may roller set or pipe cleaner set this hair for an added effect. Once the new growth appears simply use your favorite locking tool to tightening in the 4 pattern as described previously. You may clip the ends slowly as your own loced hair grows or opt to allow the human hair to mat with your own for " the instant locs overnight" look:)

Well as I say in all my You tube vids "THATS IT!!" :) I hope you liked my basic series on twisting braiding and locing:) If you did ...wait to you see my advanced natural hair articles coming to a Kyles Natural Hair Care blog near you:)

By M Kyles of Kyles Natural